Best Buy Reward Zone incompetence, deceit, false disclosure, game playing Ripoff Minneapolis Minnesota
In 2003 I joined the Reward Zone program with Best Buy. I thought it was great. Even when I price hunted I calculated the reward in the overall comparison. Last year the program, for me turned sour. It started with information errors on my account when I went online. I was unable to get into the account I previously had no trouble with. That is when the saga of the never ending "wrong information" began. Multiple calls later with the 6-10 business days to update my information a regular game, my information stands still uncorrected. Currently my address is in another state, the e-mail is wrong and I am supposed to receive certificates by mail or notifications????? I don't think so. I checked the address they have for me and it is a multi-family residential area in OK. (I live in FL) I tried correcting the information over 20 times with Reward Zone service - no avail yet store managers and Best Buy corporate hold them as quite capable. I even had one call center rep pose as a supervisor until I asked him with the customer relations person listening in at the same time. There is no follow-thru, no accountability and I have NEVER been able to get the same person to speak with. I truly believe at this point that it is intentional. Why can't they correct someone's info and get it right after so many times? What is more disturbing is that a google search uncovered for me many people with the same problem under different sites. I understand it is a reward program but consider my hassle and time and if the discount per se is worth it. One thing I have learned from this also is that consumers who have trouble with Best Buy are screwed. The call centers shield those who could really help you and your cry for help falls on deaf ears.
Rodney
Fort Myers, Florida
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Rodney
Fort Myers,Florida,
U.S.A.
Best Buy Reward Zone issue part II
#4Author of original report
Mon, July 02, 2007
I noticed that someone commented that perhaps it was the wrong number - impposible. There were multiple calls made all with the Reward Zone greeting. It truly was an issue. Now for the update. They finally corrected the problem. It switched back to the unknown Tulsa address briefly when I visited last month but the store got involved AGAIN and put a request for correction. Regardless of whatever someone posts to try to minimize this issue it is a valid one.
My family heard me many times on the phone fighting with Reward Zone reps trying to get it taken care of and thought I was the stupid one bothering with it wasting a great deal of time over and over again. They rewarded me a $20 coupon for my troubles and I am greatful yet my goal has been to get my information straight. It is a touchy issue with me for I was one of those who's identity was stolen a few years back. I want to squash any false or info in error. I was blown away that the company could not correct the data and it STAY corrected.
So, it was resolved but it WAS a real issue and has taken MANY HOURS of phone calling. The concerning thing is that it could change tomorrrow (the address) and be wrong again. I find this out when I shop at the store and the register wants me to verify that I live in Tulsa OK. I have never even been there!
James
St. Paul,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
To Be Honest About RZ
#4UPDATE Employee
Mon, July 02, 2007
it probably wasn't the wrong phone number. I've dealt with the Reward Zone Program so much that I can actually say that its a broken system in the stores. Many customers who signed up for the program are finding that their accounts are being replaced by other people who live states away but happen to have the same name...wonder why??
Its because of the idiots that some best buys have been hiring. When signing up a person for the program you are supposed to go by phone number but some people just ask for the first and last name. Once they type that in and hit the F7 key it brings up everybody with that name. This is where its broken...96% of the time if only brings up one person instead of actually verifying the info with the customer the employee with just hit the little correct key on the credit card tablet and move on to the next customer. The really big problem is that once they correct your info (and it is corrected for a little while, it just takes a while to show up) that other person has tried to use THEIR account and brought up yours so they call and get it "fixed". Basically it comes down to lazy employees.
Pony
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Could have been wrong phone number
#4UPDATE Employee
Thu, May 10, 2007
If someone else has a Reward Zone card and they may have had a phone number the same as yours in the past when they signed up for it, or a digit off the address could have been changed that way.
When you come to the register at best buy and don't physically have the reward zone card you will be asked for your phone number.
Someone else could have given your number (because maybe it was their old number when they signed up for it) or the phone number could have been keyed in one digit off, there for pulling up your address. When the customer looked at the screen to verify address they said it was the wrong one there for changing it to the Oklahoma address.
Unfortunately, it's very easy to get the information changed in the system if you don't physically have the card on you. It's always best to carry the card so that does not happen.
Best Buy also does not sell any customers information to third parties, or anyone. Its stated in the booklet you receive with your reward zone card.